Mobile Hurricanes planning for first season in American Basketball Association

The Port City will get another chance to support a professional basketball team when the Mobile Hurricanes of the American Basketball Association hit the courts this fall. ¶

Mobile natives Roland Turner and Mike Wilson, the co-owners of Global Music Group Inc., also are co-owners of the franchise. ¶

Despite the failures of other minor-league sports teams in Mobile, Turner said he is confident the Hurricanes will make an immediate and lasting impact. ¶

"My partner, Mike, and I have supported all of the other professional and semi-professional teams that have played in Mobile," he said. "We supported the Mobile Revelers basketball team, Mobile Mystics hockey team and the indoor football teams that came to town. But nothing seems to catch on here, and we want to change that. ¶

"We had an opportunity to take the team to either Biloxi or Pensacola, but we wanted to play in Mobile. We will market this team the right way, which is the key to success. If it's marketed right, the folks will come." ¶

Mobile will compete in the ABA's Southeastern Division against the Heartland Prowl of Highland County, Fla.; the Columbus Life of Columbus, Ga.; the Sharks of Tampa; the Florida Thundercats of Fort Lauderdale; the Atlanta Vision; the Savannah Storm and the Bahamas All-Pro Show of New Providence. ¶

The ABA has more than 60 teams nationwide. ¶

The Hurricanes will draft from a pool of players, but Turner said the team also would hold three tryouts in Mobile before training camp hoping to nab local talent. ¶

"We want to be community-based," Turner said. "Yes, we'll have players on our team from New York, California and even some international players. But we want local guys as well," he said. "Maybe they played college basketball, but that was as far as they went. There are some talented players in Mobile, and we want them on our team." ¶

Tryouts for players, cheerleaders and dance-team members will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Sportplex Mobile at 6363 Piccadilly Square off Hillcrest Road. Those interested can call 251-285-DUNK (3865) for more information. ¶

Turner said the team's home games will be played at Spring Hill College, Bishop State Community College or Davidson High School. ¶

The team's schedule will be available early next month, and team camp will take place August through October with preseason games in early November. The regular season will run from the end of November through March. ¶

Having spent about 35 years in the entertainment industry, Turner said Global Music handles all of the league's entertainment and Mobilians can expect top-notch shows throughout the season. ¶

"One of the promotions we'll do is a talent search, where tryouts will be held at home games of all ABA teams," he said. "The winners will go to the playoffs and the overall winner will receive a record deal from Universal Records and Global Music Group." ¶